Man held in alleged theft of 24 quarts of oil hidden in clothing

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A 35-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly trying to flee the Costco in Burbank with 24 quarts of oil stuffed in his clothes and strapped to his body, police said.

Jorge Sanchez of South Gate was spotted about 4:30 p.m. Thursday allegedly trying to leave the store without paying for merchandise and was chased by loss prevention officers, who lost him when he hopped over the chain-link fence at the west side of the lot, Burbank police Sgt. Darin Ryburn told the Burbank Leader.

Several quarts of oil that allegedly fell out of Sanchez’s clothing during the foot chase were recovered by store employees.

Burbank officers found Sanchez near Monterey Avenue and Beachwood Drive, where he was arrested on suspicion of burglary, according to police.

According to police reports, officers discovered several Bungee cords wrapped around both of Sanchez’s legs and his waist. Police believe he used the cords to hold the bottles of oil inside his clothing.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.